Junior Rasmussen
When it comes to wedding dress shopping, it's important to know how to measure your body correctly to ensure the perfect fit. While it may be tempting to rely on your usual size, wedding apparel sizing differs from retail clothing, and different brands have varying size charts. Therefore, knowing your measurements is crucial. This guide will teach you how to accurately measure your hips, as well as provide additional tips for a dream wedding dress shopping experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to wear | Only your underwear and the bra/nylon tights you plan to wear under your dress |
| Who should take the measurements | It will be easier if someone can help you |
| Posture | Stand straight with your usual posture, heels together, arms down at your sides |
| Breathing | Breathe normally |
| Measuring tape | Should be held the way you want the dress to fit; comfortable and not too tight (you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body) |
| Where to measure | Widest part of the hips and fullest part of the bottom |
| Hollow to hem | Measure from the centre of your collarbone (hollow) to the bottom (hem) |
| Shoes | Wear bridal shoes or shoes with the same heel height as your bridal shoes |
| Ordering | Order based on your largest measurement as dresses can be taken in but not always let out |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Wear only your underwear
When measuring your hips for a wedding dress, it is important to wear only your underwear. This is because even your bra or nylon tights can add volume to your measurements, so it is best to wear as little as possible. If you plan to wear shapewear or Spanx under your wedding dress, you could consider measuring with this on instead.
It is also important to remember that wedding apparel is typically sized differently from retail clothing. So, it is not uncommon to find yourself requiring a dress one or more sizes larger than your normal dress size. Different brands have different size charts, and if you are a size 10 with one designer, you may be a size 14 with another. That is why it is vital to know your measurements, not just your usual dress size.
When measuring your hips, stand straight with your feet together and pass the measuring tape along your waist first. Make sure the measuring tape is not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist. Then, pull the tape across the widest part of your hips and the fullest part of your bottom. Again, it should not be too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body to ensure you will be comfortable sitting in your wedding dress.
If you are ordering a custom dress, it is also important to know how to take your hollow-to-hem measurement. This is measured from the centre of your collarbone (the hollow) to the bottom (the hem). It is very important to wear your bridal shoes or shoes of the same height for this measurement.
Toilet Roll Wedding Dress: Creative Guide for Brides
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Get help for accuracy
Measuring your hips accurately is crucial for ensuring your wedding dress fits perfectly. Here are some tips to ensure accuracy:
It is always best to have someone help you with your measurements. Ask a friend or family member to assist you in taking the measurements. This will ensure that the tape is held correctly and that you can relax your body, standing in your usual posture with your arms down. If you are taking the measurements yourself, ensure your arms are down and relaxed, and the tape is held comfortably.
Compare Measurements
Take each measurement twice to ensure accuracy. If the two measurements are not the same, take it a third time. Record the measurement to the nearest 1/4 inch. Compare your hip measurements to the designer's size chart. It is important to order the size that corresponds to your largest measurement, as dresses can usually be taken in, but not always let out.
Wear the Right Underwear
Wear the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day. Even a bra or nylon tights can add volume, so it is important to account for this when measuring.
Shoes
When measuring your hips, it is also important to wear the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day, or a shoe with the same heel height. This will ensure your measurements are accurate, as your posture and stance may change depending on the height of your shoe.
Seek Expert Advice
If you are unsure about taking your measurements, seek expert advice. Bridal shops and consultants are experienced in taking measurements and can offer guidance on how to measure yourself accurately. They can also advise on the best size to order based on your measurements and the specific dress style you have chosen.
Givenchy Wedding Dress: A Guide to Buying Yours
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Measure widest part of hips
To measure the widest part of your hips for a wedding dress, it is best to enlist the help of another person. Stand with your feet together and your arms down at your sides. Wear only the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day, as even your bra or nylon tights can add volume and affect the measurements.
Hold the measuring tape parallel to the floor, pulling it across the widest part of your hips and the fullest part of your bottom. Ensure that the tape is comfortably snug against your body, not too tight. You should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body. Stand straight and breathe normally.
Take the measurement from side seam to side seam, approximately 7-9 inches below the natural waistline. The waist is the smallest part of your torso, not across your hipbones or at your belly button.
It is important to order your wedding dress based on your largest measurement. Dresses can easily be taken in, but most cannot be let out.
Picnic Wedding Attire: Dressing for a Relaxed, Outdoor Celebration
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Order per largest measurement
When ordering a wedding dress, it's important to provide accurate measurements to ensure the perfect fit. The general rule is to order per largest measurement, as dresses can easily be taken in, but most can't be let out.
To measure your hips accurately, start by putting on the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day. You may also want to wear your bridal shoes or shoes of the same height to get the proper measurements. Stand straight with your feet together, and pull the tape across the widest part of your hips and the fullest part of your bottom. Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor and levelled in a straight line. It should be comfortable but snug enough to stay in position—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body.
If you have a very tiny waist and small bust but large hips, for example, you may need to order a size 16 dress, even if your bust and waist measurements are closer to a size 12 or 14. This is because it's easier to take in a dress than to let it out. Keep in mind that wedding apparel sizing can vary from retail clothing, so you may need a larger size than you usually wear.
Ordering per largest measurement will ensure your dress has the most flattering fit possible. You can always have it altered for a custom fit. Remember that different brands have different size charts, so be sure to refer to the designer's size chart when ordering your dress.
Plus-Size Perfection: A-Line Short Wedding Dresses
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Compare to designer's chart
When ordering a wedding dress, it is important to compare your bust, waist, and hip measurements to the designer's size chart. Wedding apparel is often sized differently from retail clothing, so you may find that your wedding dress size is larger than your usual size. Different brands have different size charts, so it is crucial to refer to the specific designer's chart when ordering your dress.
When comparing your hip measurements to the designer's chart, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, it is important to take your measurements correctly. Stand straight with your feet together and pass the measuring tape around the widest part of your hips, which is typically across the hip bone. Make sure the tape is parallel to the floor and not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body.
Your hip measurement will determine the size of the dress you order. It is generally recommended to order a dress based on your largest measurement, as dresses can usually be taken in but not always let out. For example, if your bust and waist measurements correspond to a size 12/14 on the designer's chart but your hips measure a size 16, you should consider ordering the larger size. This is especially important if you are ordering a fitted dress, as the hip measurement becomes less crucial for A-line or ball gown styles.
However, it is also important to consider the style of the dress you are ordering. In the case of an A-line or ball gown, the hip measurement is less critical, and you may be able to order a size that more closely aligns with your bust and waist measurements. Ultimately, the decision of what size to order should be made in consultation with your consultant or the designer, especially if you plan to have alterations made.
The Perfect Wedding Dress: How Short is Too Short?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Stand with your feet together and wrap a measuring tape around the widest part of your hips and the fullest part of your bottom. The tape should be tight enough to stay in position but loose enough that you can fit a finger between it and your body.
Order the dress based on your largest measurement. Dresses can easily be taken in, but most can't be taken out.
It will be easier if someone can help you take your measurements. Make sure you stand straight with your usual posture, and keep your arms down.
